PREVIEW OF AFL ROUND-FOUR MATCHES (ALL TIMES AEST):
FRIDAY, April 13:
Adelaide v Collingwood at Adelaide Oval, 7:50pm
Head to Head: Crows 15 Magpies 25 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 19, 2017 – Crows 16.7 (103) drew with Magpies 15.13 (103) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet odds: Crows $1.15 Magpies $5.50
William Hill: Crows $1.17 Magpies $5
The Magpies eased the pressure on coach Nathan Buckley with last week’s win over Carlton. But they will face a much sterner challenge against Adelaide, who were barely troubled in their 49-point win over St Kilda. A dramatic draw eventuated when these two teams last played. The Crows were down by 50 points in the third quarter before launching a brave fightback. Young Crows forward Mitch McGovern then took an amazing pack mark and booted a goal after the final siren to secure the draw. The Magpies welcome back Jordan De Goey for his first match since a club-imposed ban for drink- driving and a pre-season hamstring injury.
Key: Halting the Eddie Betts show. The Crows’ goalsneak was goalless in the opening two rounds, but shot back to form with three majors last week – just shortly after his wife gave birth to twins. If he gets on a roll, the ‘Pies could be in trouble.
Tip: Crows by 24 points
SATURDAY, April 14:
GWS v Fremantle at UNSW Canberra Oval, 1:45pm
Head to Head: Giants 3 Dockers 4 drawn 0
Last clash: Round 19, 2017 – Giants 13.20 (98) bt Dockers 13.8 (86) at Spotless Stadium
Tab Sportsbet odds: Giants $1.15 Dockers $5.50
William Hill: Giants $1.15 Dockers $5.50
Fremantle’s rebuild appears to be going nicely, with wins over Essendon and Gold Coast showing how much the team have progressed. The Dockers were challenged last week by the Suns, but pulled away easily when the game was there to be won. The Giants came up short last round against Sydney, but they were by no means disgraced. Fremantle were given a boost when Aaron Sandilands avoided suspension for his high bump on Jarryd Lyons. The Giants have recalled Toby Greene, Dawson Simpson, and Ryan Griffen, but Rory Lobb and Josh Kelly are out injured.
Key: Nat Fyfe. The Fremantle skipper was inspirational last week against the Suns. The Dockers need him firing again if they are to beat the Giants in Canberra.
Tip: Giants by 24 points
Richmond v Brisbane at MCG, 2:10pm
Head to Head: Tigers 19 Lions 8 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 17, 2017 – Tigers 16.16 (112) bt Lions 12.9 (81) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet odds: Tigers $1.08 Lions $8
William Hill: Tigers $1.08 Lions $8
Brisbane proved last week they wouldn’t be easybeats last week when they pushed Port Adelaide all the way. The Power were lucky to escape with a five-point win. The Lions will aim to go all the way against the Tigers. Richmond coach Damien Hardwick wasn’t happy with his team’s late fadeout last week against the Hawks, but they still did enough to hold on for a 13-point win. Richmond welcome back Josh Caddy and Dion Prestia, while Dayne Beams returns for Brisbane.
Key: Stefan Martin. The Brisbane ruckman was monumental last week against Port, tallying 30 disposals, 49 hit-outs and seven inside 50s. For the Lions to stand a chance, Martin will need to dominate Toby Nankervis.
Tip: Tigers by 31 points
Western Bulldogs v Sydney at Etihad Stadium, 4:35pm
Head to Head: Bulldogs 81 Swans 77 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 12, 2017 – Swans 12.16 (88) bt Bulldogs 6.6 (42) at SCG
Tab Sportsbet odds: Bulldogs $3 Swans $1.40
William Hill: Bulldogs $3.10 Swans $1.37
The Bulldogs put aside rumours of infighting to post a 21-point win last week over Essendon. It came as a welcome relief to coach Luke Beveridge, who had been scratching his head after his side’s poor start to the year. Sydney showed they were the real deal with last week’s win over GWS. However, the victory came at a big cost, with Sam Reid ruled out for the next eight weeks with a quad injury.
Key: Lance Franklin. The star Swan only booted two goals last week, but they were crucial strikes that proved to be the killer blows against the Giants. If he gets firing, the Bulldogs will struggle to win.
Tip: Swans by 31
North Melbourne v Carlton at Blundstone Arena, 7:25pm
Head to Head: Kangaroos 57 Blues 97 drawn 0
Last clash: Round 10, 2017 – Kangaroos 17.11 (113) bt Blues 15.6 (96) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet odds: Kangaroos $1.50 Blues $2.60
William Hill: Kangaroos $1.52 Blues $2.55
Carlton are still winless after three rounds. And although their losses to Richmond, Gold Coast and Collingwood haven’t been blowouts, it seems they have made little progress from last year. The Kangaroos (1-2) are another team expected to struggle this year. It’s still early in the season, but you can’t help wonder whether games like this will end up playing a key role in deciding the wooden spoon.
Key: Big Ben Brown. The Kangaroos’ forward has been in strong form this season, booting 10.2 over the opening three rounds. If he gets some decent supply, he could be in for a big haul.
Tip: Kangaroos by 19 points
West Coast v Gold Coast at Optus Stadium, 8:10pm
Head to Head: Eagles 7 Suns 1 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 11, 2017 – Suns 11.14 (80) bt Eagles 11.11 (77) at Metricon Stadium
Tab Sportsbet odds: Eagles $1.15 Suns $5.50
William Hill: Eagles $1.15 Suns $5.50
West Coast made it rain last week at Optus Stadium. Down by 15 points midway through the final term, the Eagles booted six goals in 10 minutes to snare a thrilling win. But the triumph was costly, with exciting forward Liam Ryan to miss 12 weeks with an ankle injury. However, his loss has been offset by the return of star spearhead Josh Kennedy from pre-season ankle surgery. The Suns suffered their first loss under coach Stuart Dew in last week’s defeat to Fremantle. Star midfielder Pearce Hanley will miss an extended period after dislocating his right shoulder again.
Key: Nic Naitanui. The Eagles’ ruckman has played a key role in West Coast’s strong early-season form. If Suns ruckman Jarrod Witts can’t nullify Naitanui’s influence, Gold Coast could be in trouble.
Tip: Eagles by 39 points
SUNDAY, April 15:
Essendon v Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium, 1:10pm
Head to Head: Bombers 12 Power 16 drawn 0
Last clash: Round 12, 2017 – Bombers 19.17 (131) bt Power 8.13 (61) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet odds: Bombers $2.30 Power $1.62
William Hill: Bombers $2.25 Power $1.65
Bombers coach John Worsfold described last week’s 21-point loss to the Bulldogs as arguably the worst performance under his tenure. That’s a big call, considering Worsfold oversaw Essendon’s wooden-spoon year of 2016 when a host of players were banned because of the supplements saga. The Power sit on top of the table with a perfect 3-0 record, but have been forced to deal with the drama surrounding Sam Powell-Pepper. The young midfielder has copped a one-match club-imposed ban for breaking team rules, and his involvement in an incident at an Adelaide nightspot is still being investigated.
Key: Ruck battle. Port’s makeshift ruck pairing of Justin Westhoff and Charlie Dixon were monstered last week by Stefan Martin. If Essendon ruckman Tom Bellchambers can do the same, Port will be in for a battle.
Tip: Power by 25 points
Hawthorn v Melbourne at MCG, 3:20pm
Head to Head: Hawks 86 Demons 75 drawn 0
Last clash: Round 7, 2017 – Hawks 14.10 (94) bt Demons 14.7 (91) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet odds: Hawks $2.20 Demons $1.68
William Hill: Hawks $2.10 Demons $1.72
The Demons last week ended a 17-game losing streak against North Melbourne. They’re aiming to bust through another bogey team this week. Hawthorn have won 14 of the past 15 matches between the two sides, but the Demons boast an air of confidence. Melbourne would have been equal top of the table with a 3-0 record if Max Gawn had been able to nail a simple set shot in round one in the dying seconds against Geelong. Hawthorn came up short last week against Richmond, but there were promising signs Alastair Clarkson’s outfit would return this year to the finals.
Key: Cutting the supply to Jesse Hogan. Melbourne’s spearhead has racked up big possession numbers this season, and booted nine goals in three games. A big goal haul is looming if his form stays hot.
Tip: Demons by 3 points
Geelong v St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium, 4:40pm
Head to Head: Cats 128 Saints 84 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 5, 2017 – Cats 19.12 (126) bt Saints 13.10 (88) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet odds: Cats $1.22 Saints $4.35
William Hill: Cats $1.22 Saints $4.25
Geelong’s trip to Perth last week ended in disaster. Not only did they cough up a 15-point lead in the final quarter in their loss to West Coast, but key players Gary Ablett (hamstring), Cameron Guthrie (ankle) and Nakia Cockatoo (knee) were injured. The Cats are 1-2, and can ill afford a loss to St Kilda. The Saints are also 1-2, but appear to be deeper in the mire than Geelong, with coach Alan Richardson admitting there are major problems with his forward line.
Key: Misfiring forwards. The Saints have averaged just six goals in their past two games. If their spearheads continue to struggle, they will be blown away by the Cats.
Tip: Cats by 31 points
